Open Park Days rekindle love for wildlife

Ugandans and other East African visitors turned out in large numbers to experience the country's wildlife and protected areas as the three-day Open Park Days campaign entered its first day on Friday, September 25

The campaign, now in its third year, will climax on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during the celebration of World Tourism Day, with the official ceremony scheduled for Mbale city in eastern Uganda.

Spearheaded by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in collaboration with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and other stakeholders, Open Park Days seeks to bring Ugandans closer to their natural heritage while promoting domestic tourism and creating greater appreciation of wildlife conservation.

The campaign was launched on July 27 at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe Municipality by Charles Tumwesigye, UWA commissioner in charge of field operations.

He was accompanied by Dorcas Rukundo, UWA acting commissioner for tourism and business development, David Musingo, commissioner for ex-situ conservation, and Juliana Kagwa, the UTB chief executive officer.

Ahead of the opening, a group of social media influencers and artists toured selected savannah protected areas to showcase their tourism attractions and encourage more Ugandans to visit the parks.

The response on Friday was visible across Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley national parks, as well as Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, with visitors drawn from different parts of Uganda and neighbouring East African countries.

The campaign is being coordinated by Robinah Gangiriba, the senior tourism and hospitality officer under UWA.

UWA staff together with some leaders in Masindi flagging off the community residents of Masindi for a trip to Murchison Falls National Park. (All Photos by Julius Luwemba)

Lake Mburo draws crowds

Lake Mburo National Park appeared to record the biggest turnout on the first day, helped by its proximity to Kampala and urban centres such as Mbarara and Masaka.

The park, one of Uganda's most accessible savannah destinations, is particularly known for its zebras and impalas, as well as its wetlands, woodlands and more than 315 bird species. Visitors can experience game drives, boat safaris and guided walking safaris.

Several buses carrying students were seen in the park, while residents from nearby Sanga Town Council also joined game drives with assistance from UWA vehicles.

The strong presence of learners offered another important dimension to the campaign, reconnecting young Ugandans with nature and conservation at a time when opportunities for school trips have been limited by safety concerns.

Pontus Banyenzaki, a resident of Sanga town council, described it as a momentous opportunity to access the park.

"We always see tourists' vehicles passing our villages as they enter the park. It has always remained a lesser concern to care about this national park because we always thought of it as being less beneficial to this community. In fact, we have always asked the government to degazette and hand it over to the communities for livestock rearing.

But bringing us here helps to highlight the importance of national parks to the country, with national benefits outweighing personal needs," Banyenzaki expressed.

At the entrance of Murchison Falls National Park.

Queen Elizabeth offers a medley of wonders

Queen Elizabeth National Park also attracted visitors, particularly from Kasese, Katunguru, Fort Portal and Rubirizi.

The park is famed for its varied landscapes and rich wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions and hippos. Its 40-kilometre Kazinga Channel, linking Lakes Edward and George, is one of its major attractions, offering visitors close views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and water birds.

The Ishasha sector is another major draw, particularly for its famous tree-climbing lions.

Murchison showcases the Nile

Murchison Falls National Park opened its gates to communities from Masindi, Hoima, Pakwach, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Kikuube, among other areas.

Uganda's largest national park is built around the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging into the Devil's Cauldron.

The river also provides a spectacular wildlife-viewing experience, with elephants, giraffes and buffaloes commonly seen along its banks, alongside hippos, crocodiles and numerous water birds.

Game drives, boat trips along the Nile and hikes to the top of the falls offered locals different ways of experiencing the park.

Kidepo preserves the wildernes

Farther northeast, Kidepo Valley National Park attracted visitors from Kampala, the Karamoja region and beyond.

Known for its remote wilderness, Kidepo features expansive savannah plains, rugged mountains and the seasonal Kidepo and Narus rivers.

The Narus Valley becomes particularly important to wildlife during dry periods, attracting elephants, buffaloes, lions, zebras and other animals.

The park is also known for Rothschild's giraffes, ostriches and rich birdlife, while cultural encounters with communities in the Karamoja region add another dimension to the safari experience.

The graceful giraffes inside Lake Mburo National Park.

Pian Upe opens eastern wilderness

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, which drew visitors from Kampala, Mbale and Karamoja, offered another glimpse into eastern Uganda's largely untapped wilderness.

The reserve consists largely of rolling plains and wooded savannah that support wildlife including giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, eland, zebra, hartebeest and several antelope species. It also provides opportunities for birdwatching and nature-based tourism

While entrance fees were waived during the Open Park Days, visitors were required to pay for some specialised experiences, including boat cruises on Lake Mburo, the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth and the Nile in Murchison Falls.

As Friday progressed, more visitors continued making their way into the parks, taking advantage of the opportunity to experience Uganda's wildlife at little or no cost.

Beyond the numbers, the campaign is also a reminder that conservation cannot remain the responsibility of wildlife authorities alone. The continued survival of Uganda's wildlife depends on citizens knowing, valuing and visiting the natural assets that UWA and local communities work to protect.

The Open Park Days allowed Ugandans to see first-hand what is being protected and why the landscapes matter to the country's economy, environment and future generations.